Dragons’ Den maverick kicks off new footwear brand

Former Dragons’ Den contestant Tim Smith has launched Goodwin Smith, a new British men’s footwear brand celebrating the history of two respected shoemakers from Lancashire: Ernest Goodwin and Walter Smith.

Its parent firm, Bacup Shoe, was founded in 1928 and supplies fine footwear to retailers worldwide. Past and present clients include Clarks, Russell & Bromley, Harrods and Galeries Lafayette. With the launch of Goodwin Smith, the family-run manufacturer is delivering expertly-crafted shoes to a new generation seeking contemporary style.

Tim Smith, managing director, says: “We wanted to create a brand that celebrates the heritage and success of two great British shoemakers. We have taken traditional men’s styles and updated them for a modern finish and the range represents excellent value for money.”

Goodwin Smith offers formal and smart casual brogues. Each pair of British-designed shoes takes a month to make and comes with the wearer’s choice of coloured laces.

The brand’s logo is a stag’s head, as the stag is a symbol of the Rossendale Valley. With product names like Newchurch Brown and Hargreaves Black, inspired by the local area, Goodwin Smith is a heritage brand that harks back to the truly British tradition of quality shoemaking.

It all began in 1928. After a successful career on the pitch playing for Manchester City, Ernest “Ernie” Goodwin, created The Bacup Shoe Company. The shoe mill was located in Lancashire’s Rossendale Valley, an area famous for its thriving footwear industry. Through exacting standards and surrounding himself with the best craftspeople, Ernie’s reputation as a quality shoemaker quickly grew.

At the same time, Walter Smith was already a well respected and highly skilled shoemaker at the nearby Newchurch Boot and Shoe Company. In 1990 Walter’s grandson, Steven Smith, joined the Goodwin family and became a major shareholder of The Bacup Shoe Company.